Cohousing NZ - Open to New Members

Welborne Farm

Developer — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 13:05:20 +0000

Masterton, Wairarapa

A group of professional mid 40s to mid 50's professionals are proactively developing a 25-home rural community that will extend into their retirement years.

A 7 acre block is already purchased on the north eastern side of the city, with open views over farm land, and an experienced property developer member is overseeing the project.

It's a short walk or bike from all services including the hospital, lake recreation area, shops and cafes.

Some members are occupying immediately, with others looking to rent until retirement. And commuting from Wellborne Farm is also an option for those still committed to Wellington-based jobs.

For those working from within the site, a highly networked coworking and meeting space is in development.

The group plans to have some livestock, gardens and an orchard.

Wellborne Farm welcomes interest from other people who value the good life, good neighbours and would appreciate a low-maintenance home with all the advantages of the countryside.

Site Acquired

Open to New Members

Kotare Village

Developer — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 12:33:39 +0000

Hawkes Bay

Kotare Village is a self-reliant, permaculture-focussed, eco-village on rural site in rural Northern Hawke's Bay.

Building on the current nucleus the Village it so eventually accomodate 30 families, along with the Koanga Institute's Centre for Regenerative Living. The community is looking to expand membership for people who want to support the shared goal a regenerative, permaculture focused future through "independent village living, local economies and co-evolution".

Kotare’s shared cultural life includes meals, facilitated meetings, gardening, cooperative business, conflict resolution, song, parties, theater, child care, building projects, and community work days.

A unique leasehold arrangement allows residents to lease land for for 34 years, renewable. Members are responsible for own dwellings, to be based on a community driven generic design.

The community is developing a range of shared services: childcare, a workshop, organic food storage and processing, vehicle fleet for hire, building equipment, telecoms, power generation etc.

Looking more outward, Kotare will make use of in-house permaculture skills, resources and marketing to create co-operative business opportunities for members.

The community has a systematized induction process for those interested in joining, and options include donor, settler or investor.

Visit The Kotare Website.

Site Acquired

Open to New Members

Properties Available;

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New Plymouth City

Developer — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 01:31:58 +0000

Taranaki

This group formed after several members attended Robin Allison's weekend cohousing workshop in mid-October in New Plymouth.

The group consists of 8-10 families and individuals who are keen to create a cohousing community in New Plymouth that is within walking/biking distance to the CBD. Several members of the group recently attended the quarterly tour at Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood in Auckland.

The group has been moving on to agreeing on a vision statement, communication agreements, membership criteria, meeting procedures and decision making.

Expression of Interest

Site Search

Open to New Members

Urban Auckland

Developer — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:06:13 +0000

Central Auckland

This project is currently suspended.

It may be rebooted, in more favourable circumstances, or with a broader mix of membership, so feel free to declare interest, on that basis.

This concept, eschews the semi-rural ‘eco-village’ model, to embrace the vibrancy and sustainability offered by a compact urban form. Skillfully designed multi-use common facilities and sustainable transport choices will add both value and affordability. The project is currently suspended, but open to expressions of interest.

This vision has resonance with Melbourne’s The Commons or Auckland’s Ockham Daisy apartments, but will be cohousing, pure and undiluted.

Approach

Maximizing Resources: embracing car-sharing over ownership. Roof and/or vertical gardens, co-working space and shared utility spaces.

Multi-Purposing: A 'timeshared' public cafe / private common house; multi-use or foldaway furniture.

Affordability is realized via a smarter spatial design, minimal parking, repurposing a developer profit margin; and post-build efficiencies.

Building

Location in West Central Auckland – e.g. Kingsland/Morningside, Newton, Mount Eden, Mount Albert (Unitec Campus).

Site Design defining public, semi-public and residential spaces, without gating. Open space to encourage social interaction, possibly in atrium form, vertical and/or rooftop gardening. Flexible provision for future needs: garden plots, small business, outdoor gatherings.

Density Medium-High: Good spatial design with careful allocation of generous stud height, folding/multipurpose furniture and fittings, minimal car parking. 3-4 level dwellings.

Units: 12-20. Standard: 2-3 Bedroom with adaptable partitions. Special: Apartments for on-the-go students or workers.

Conversion of a light industrial building shell offers cost, zoning, and sustainability advantages.

Modular Construction based on prefabricated wooden panels - including bathroom and kitchen. Modular construction is faster, cheaper, more sustainable, and adaptable to future household requirements.

Community

Your Coho Neighbours are multi-generational. Coho residents of all age appreciate age integration, just as The Village Effect has highlighted extended longevity in genuinely multigenerational traditional communities.

The Wider-Neighborhood is engaged via cafe, car-share, teen space, makerspace, artisanal production or co-working space open days, selective access for community activities - mitigating a potential “gated village” effect.

Sustainability

Renewable Energy production via solar. Consumption minimized via natural lighting, thermal mass and batteries to buffer consumption, radiant water-cooled/heated system, and lifestyle savings. Full energy independance may be held over while costs reduce further.

Waste Minimization: Water consumption minimization, composting. Active transport options and lifestyle-based saving. Natural, renewable local materials. Drastically reduced construction waste.

Transport: Vehicle share: A small shared car pool, along with a mix of private and shared two wheeled options e.g. cargo bikes, ebikes, scooters. Public transport to be within comfortable cycle-able distance. Rejecting individual car parking reduces use, providing health, environment and affordability benefits.

Management Tools Intranet: forums, IM, facility bookings, billing, polling, meeting planning.

Economics

Affordability: Of the order of 25% less expensive than comparative terraced apartments, but with additonal value in common facilities.

Ownership: Mixed unit title, rent to buy and/or secure rental.

Getting There

Community Building via a robust series of workshops that will define requirements. Ultimately eligibility is self-selecting, subject to finance / rental / rent to own options.

Co-design process with architects using established coho methodologies. Limiting stylistic variations for cost effectiveness.

Project Management via contract project manager, with core team involvement, architect, energy consultant.

Timescale: 3-4 years.

Concept

Expression of Interest

Suspended

Open to New Members

Group

Request group membership

Micro Summary

Embracing density, multi-use spaces and neighbourhood permeability we are looking at new ways to achieve affordability, sustainability, and connection.

Cross St Eco Village

Developer — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:02:24 +0000

Whangarei

Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the land) & Manaakitanga (caring for each other), inform this group’s progress to develop a socially and environmentally sustainable urban community in Whangarei.

Cross St already has a 2 acre site, with an existing large ‘common-house-able’ dwelling, owned by the project’s founders. 12-15 units are to be developed on this site.

The group is currently 12 members and looking to expand membership. They meet on the first Saturday of each month. 2016 will be focussed on a codesign process geared towards construction in 2017.

Aims

Design and construct a safe, cohesive neighbourhood whose layout, buildings and services demonstrate the energy efficiency and sustainable settlement.
Develop interpersonal relationships fostering clear communication, consensus decision-making and conflict resolution. We promote respect, co-operation, tolerance of difference, shared enjoyment and fun.
To promote environmental principles within our local community.

Principles

The place of Tangata Whenua and the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The primacy of our abundant world and our role as Kaitiaki / Guardians of the land.
The dignity of each person and the importance of Manaakitanga / Showing respect and care for others.
The importance of Permaculture design and practice.

Site Acquired

Open to New Members

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Viva

Developer — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 22:16:42 +0000

Christchurch

Viva numbers over 400, passionate about building a sustainable urban community in Christchurch, including building, design and sustainability professionals, academics, local body officials, investors, and creative and committed people from a variety of backgrounds.

The Viva Project was kickstarted with an integrated design workshop held at CPIT in 2012, attended by over 130, resulting in the creation of a series of detailed models for the proposed sustainable urban village.

Since then Viva has held workshops and regular meetings to continue to engage Christchurch people with the challenge of rebuilding their city sustainably via a cohousing paradigm.

Even with the extra opportunities afforded by a city that is rebuilding, obtaining a site capable of housing such a substantial community has been a challenge.

However the group is now moving beyond community building, and is currently doing due diligence on a site, while considering other options.

Visit the Viva Website.

PICTURE: Design concept by JASMAX for Christchurch Breathe Competition

Site Search

Open to New Members

Micro Summary

Viva includes 400 people capitalising on opportunities within Christchurch’s rebuilding to develop a sizeable coho presence, currently at site acquisition phase.